Brandon Chrostowski, owner of the EDWINS Leadership & Restaurant Institute in Cleveland, is preparing for his fifth humanitarian mission to Ukraine. On October 5, 2026, he will join an ambulance convoy organized by Washington, D.C.-based Ukraine Focus and the United Ukrainian Organizations of Ohio (UUOhio) in Prague. The convoy will travel across the border into Lviv.
To support the mission, EDWINS is hosting a fundraiser on September 30 titled “Drive for Ukraine: Fill the Ambulance, Fuel the Mission,” with a fundraising goal of $25,000. Ahead of the event, Chrostowski has already raised $19,500 through direct contributions and ticket sales. Local businesses and individuals have also donated time, services, and products, such as traditional Ukrainian music from Parma’s Mellow Band and pierogi from Sunflower Gourmet.
After arriving in Ukraine and completing the ambulance convoy portion of the trip, Chrostowski will split off to focus on personal, on-the-ground support. His itinerary includes cooking with local chefs, visiting an orphanage he has previously supported, and assisting an underfunded amputee center.
Chrostowski emphasizes that humanitarian aid often involves meeting specific, grassroots needs rather than making headlines. On previous and current projects, he has coordinated the delivery of requested supplies—such as standard medical equipment for a children’s hospital and agricultural seeds to help villages grow food—demonstrating a collaborative approach driven by cooperation rather than ego. Contributions to the upcoming fundraiser will directly support the ambulance mission and his continued humanitarian efforts in Ukraine.
